“Lakmé,” the tale of a romance between a British officer and the daughter of a militant Brahmin priest in 19th century India, is coming to UNCG.

The three-act opera in French will be presented by the UNCG School of Music and the Department of Theatre in Aycock Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, March 31 and April 1, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 3.

Léo Delibes composed the music, and Edmond Gondinet and Philippe Gille wrote the libretto. Based on the novel “Le Mariage de Loti” by Pierre Loti, “Lakmé” (pronounced lahk-may) was first performed in Paris in 1883.

The action starts in a sacred garden, where the fanatical priest Nilakantha, his followers and his daughter, Lakmé, are praying for the departure of the occupying British. After the prayer, the priest exits the garden. Lakmé takes off her jewelry and leaves it behind when she goes to bathe.

A light-hearted group of English – two officers, two young women and a governess – breaks into the garden to explore. One of the officers, Frederic, warns his companions they are in a dangerous place. Before they leave, however, one of the young women, Ellen, spies Lakmé’s jewels. Gerald, who is an officer and Ellen’s fiancé, insists on staying to sketch the jewels so copies can be made for their wedding. When Lakmé returns, she and Gerald fall in love. Nilakantha reappears after Gerald leaves and, knowing the garden has been desecrated, swears vengeance.

In order to identify the intruder, a disguised Nilakantha forces Lakmé to sing at the bustling bazaar. When Gerald recognizes her voice and appears, she faints in his arms. The priest hatches a plot that leads to Gerald’s stabbing. With the aid of a servant, Lakmé helps Gerald escape to her secret hiding place in the forest.

Lakmé urges Gerald to drink water from a sacred river that will ensure them eternal love. Gerald is torn between his love and his military duty. When Lakmé leaves to fetch the water, Frederic appears and encourages Gerald to be faithful to his regiment. Upon her return, Lakmé notices a change in Gerald and, despairing, bites a poisonous leaf. As she is dying, they drink the magical water.

Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and $6 for UNCG students. For more information, call the university box office at (336) 334-4849 or visit the Department of Theatre website.